TMJ Treatment and Jaw Pain Relief in Beverly Hills, CA

TMJ treatment in Beverly Hills at ConfiDental starts with finding out where your jaw pain is really coming from: the jaw joint, the chewing muscles, or a tooth. Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH, checks how your jaw opens, clicks and moves, then begins with gentle, reversible care such as self-care steps, a custom night guard and jaw exercises, and refers you to an orofacial pain specialist or oral surgeon when your symptoms need more.

TMJ disorder affects millions of adults and remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated sources of chronic pain. At Confidental Beverly Hills, Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD MPH provides comprehensive TMJ and jaw pain treatment for patients across Beverly Hills, Beverly Grove, and greater Los Angeles. Treatment ranges from conservative first-line options like custom night guards and bite adjustment, to therapeutic BOTOX for jaw muscle tension, to orthodontic and holistic approaches for patients who prefer a more natural path to relief.

If you are waking up with jaw soreness, hearing a clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth, experiencing frequent headaches or ear pain with no clear cause, or being told you grind your teeth in your sleep, a TMJ evaluation at Confidental Beverly Hills is the most important first step you can take.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge in front of each ear that connects your lower jaw to your skull. A small disc of cartilage sits inside it so the jaw can glide smoothly when you talk, chew and yawn.

TMJ disorder, also called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), is a group of problems with that joint and the muscles that move it. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), TMD affects about 5% of adults in the U.S. and is about twice as common in women as in men. For many people it is temporary and settles with simple care.

TMJ problems usually fall into three groups:

Muscle pain (myofascial pain): the chewing muscles are tight and sore. This is the most common type. Our jaw fascia pain page covers it in detail.
Joint problems: the disc slips out of place (disc displacement), causing clicking, popping or locking.
Arthritis: wear or inflammation inside the joint, which can cause stiffness and a grating feeling.

Many people have more than one at the same time.

TMJ Symptoms: Do These Sound Familiar?

Aching or tenderness in the jaw, in front of the ear or at the temples
Clicking, popping or a grating sound when you open or close your mouth
A jaw that catches, locks open or locks shut
Trouble opening wide or a jaw that shifts to one side as it opens
Headaches, especially in the morning or around the temples
Ear pain, fullness or ringing with no ear infection
Pain when chewing, yawning or talking for a long time
Worn, chipped or sensitive teeth from clenching and grinding
Neck and shoulder tension

Clicking on its own, without pain or locking, is common and often needs no treatment. If the pain is only on one side, our guide to why your jaw hurts on one side explains the usual causes.

Is It the Joint, the Muscles or a Tooth?

Jaw pain can come from several places, and the right treatment depends on the source.

Where it comes from	How it often feels	Common clues
Jaw joint (TMJ)	Pain right in front of the ear	Clicking, popping, catching or locking
Jaw muscles	Dull, tight ache in the cheeks or temples	Worse in the morning, linked to clenching or stress. See jaw fascia pain
A tooth	Sharp or throbbing pain in one tooth	Pain to hot, cold or biting. See tooth infection treatment
Wisdom tooth	Ache at the back of the jaw	Swollen gum, bad taste. See impacted wisdom teeth
Ear, sinus or nerve	Pain that does not change with jaw movement	Fever, blocked ear or facial numbness. Needs a physician

What Causes TMJ Problems?

Mayo Clinic notes that the exact cause is often hard to pin down because several factors usually combine. The most common ones are:

Clenching and grinding (bruxism), at night or during the day
Stress, anxiety and poor sleep, which make clenching worse
Disc displacement, where the cartilage disc slips forward in the joint
Arthritis, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Injury, from a blow to the jaw, a fall or whiplash
Habits like gum chewing, nail biting or resting your chin on your hand
Long dental visits or wide yawning, which can strain an already sore joint

You may have heard that a “bad bite” causes TMJ. NIDCR says research does not support the idea that a bad bite or braces cause TMD.

How We Treat TMJ: A Step-by-Step Approach

We follow the approach NIDCR recommends: start with conservative, reversible treatment and only move on if you need to.

1. A Thorough TMJ Evaluation

A dental exam of your jaw joints, muscles, bite and teeth. We measure how wide you can open, listen and feel for clicking, press on the muscles, and take X-rays when needed to rule out a tooth problem. We also ask about clenching, sleep, stress and headaches.

2. A Self-Care Plan

Most people improve with simple changes, which we walk you through (see the home care steps below).

3. Custom Night Guard or Occlusal Splint

A custom night guard or stabilization splint covers your teeth at night, reduces clenching force and protects your teeth from grinding. It does not change your bite permanently. Our guide to night guards for bruxism explains the different types.

4. Jaw Exercises, TMJ Massage and Physical Therapy

Gentle stretching, posture work and massage of the masseter and temple muscles can ease pain and improve opening. For stubborn cases, we refer you to a physical therapist who treats jaw problems.

5. Medication From Your Physician

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers can help in short courses, if they are safe for you. Muscle relaxants or other prescriptions come from your physician.

6. Botox for TMJ and Clenching

Therapeutic Botox injected into the jaw muscles can relax them and reduce clenching for a few months at a time. NIDCR notes it is not FDA-approved for TMD and study results are mixed, so we discuss it honestly as an option for clenching-related muscle pain, not a cure for joint problems.

7. Referral When You Need More

If your jaw stays locked, the joint is badly damaged or pain continues despite treatment, we refer you to an orofacial pain specialist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The American Academy of Orofacial Pain explains what these specialists do. Surgery is rarely needed and is only considered for severe, long-lasting problems.

What We Do Not Recommend for TMJ

Grinding down teeth to “balance” the bite (occlusal adjustment)
Braces or Invisalign as a TMJ cure
Crowns or other permanent bite changes done only to treat TMJ

NIDCR says there is not enough evidence that these treatments help TMD, and they can sometimes make it worse. Invisalign is still a great choice for crowded or misaligned teeth, just not as a TMJ treatment.

TMJ Relief at Home

Rest your jaw: eat soft foods and cut food into small pieces during a flare-up.
Heat or cold: a warm compress for tight muscles, a cold pack for 10 minutes for sharp joint pain.
Lips together, teeth apart: check yourself during the day. Your teeth should only touch when you swallow or chew.
Gentle stretches: open slowly within a pain-free range a few times a day.
Avoid wide yawns and gum chewing, and support your chin when you yawn.
Watch your posture: keep your head over your shoulders when using your phone or laptop.
Wind down before bed: stress and poor sleep both increase clenching.

If you snore loudly or wake up tired, tell us. Grinding is often linked to disturbed sleep, and you may need a sleep check or a snoring appliance rather than a standard night guard.

TMJ Treatment Cost in Beverly Hills

The cost of TMJ treatment in Beverly Hills varies significantly based on which treatments are required for your case. Here is a transparent reference guide for the most common TMJ treatment options at Confidental Beverly Hills.

Treatment	Approximate Cost	Insurance Coverage
TMJ Evaluation and Consultation	$150 to $300	Often covered under diagnostic benefit
Custom Night Guard / Occlusal Splint	$400 to $900	Partially covered by many dental plans
BOTOX for TMJ (per session)	$500 to $1,200	Some medical plans cover for diagnosed bruxism
Occlusal Equilibration	$300 to $800	Variable, depends on plan and diagnosis
Invisalign for Bite Correction	$4,500 to $8,000	Orthodontic benefit may apply
Holistic TMJ Protocol	$200 to $600	Generally not covered as elective

A complete cost breakdown is provided at your TMJ consultation before any treatment begins. Our team reviews your dental and medical insurance benefits in advance, as some TMJ treatments, particularly BOTOX for medically diagnosed bruxism and custom occlusal splints, may qualify for coverage under both dental and medical insurance plans.

Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD MPH

Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California, and is licensed by the Dental Board of California. She takes a careful, step-by-step approach to jaw pain: listening to your full history, starting with the simplest care that works, and referring you to physical therapists, physicians or orofacial pain specialists when that is the better path.

Read Dr. Massaband’s full profile.

Patient Stories

Real experiences shared by patients reflect comfort, trust, and positive outcomes built over time through consistent care and open conversations with our dental team.

Why people love Confidental Beverly hills

Patients often mention how clearly things are explained, how gently visits are handled, and how supported they feel before and after appointments. Many reviews highlight feeling heard, not rushed, and genuinely cared for.

TMJ Treatment and Jaw Pain Relief Near You in Beverly Hills

Confidental Beverly Hills is located at 9615 Brighton Way, Suite 222, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. We provide TMJ treatment and jaw pain relief for patients from Beverly Hills, Beverly Grove, West Hollywood, Century City, Bel Air, Brentwood, Culver City, and across greater Los Angeles.

Office hours: Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. Book a TMJ consultation online or call (310) 858-9212.

TMJ FAQs

TMJ treatment is care for pain and problems in the jaw joint and the muscles around it. It usually starts with self-care, a custom night guard and jaw exercises, and moves to physical therapy, Botox or a specialist referral only if needed.

Yes. Dentists diagnose and treat many TMJ problems, especially those linked to clenching and grinding. Complex or long-lasting cases are referred to an orofacial pain specialist or oral surgeon.

Many people notice less morning jaw pain within 2 to 6 weeks of wearing a custom night guard every night. If it does not help or makes pain worse, we adjust it or try a different splint.

The injections feel like quick pinches and take a few minutes. The effect usually starts within 1 to 2 weeks and wears off after a few months, so treatment is repeated if it helps.

Research does not show that braces or Invisalign treat TMJ disorders. They are a good option for straightening teeth, but we do not recommend them as a TMJ cure.

Clicking without pain or locking is common and often needs no treatment. Clicking with pain, catching or locking should be checked.

Yes. Tight jaw muscles and an irritated joint often cause temple headaches and ear pain or fullness, even when the ear itself is healthy.

Many of the most effective TMJ treatments are natural: rest, soft foods, heat, stretching, massage, stress management and better sleep. We combine these with a night guard when clenching is part of the problem.

Very rarely. NIDCR advises considering surgery only for severe symptoms that continue after other treatments, and we would refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for that opinion.